While I was writing on my second novel, All About Gwen, today I started thinking about point of view. My first novel, Dust, is written from the viewpoint of my main character, Emily Johnson. I wrote it in first person because when I dreamed the idea for the novel, I was Emily. My second novel's main character is Gwen and while I was writing today I wanted to keep saying "Gwen" instead of "I." I've always believed in listening to your characters and how they want to be written and I'm scared to think that Gwen wants to be written in third person. I think of myself as a pretty good writer because my characters are a lot like me and so they sound like me. I don't write characters that I couldn't see being "real people." I was never an astronaut, and NASA thanks me for that, so I can't write like I know anything about space. My characters act and feel like an average twenty something female because that's what I am. I don't make my characters something that they aren't either. So, when Gwen wanted to me to write her story in third person, I freaked! I wrote 75,000 plus words in first person for so long, that I'm a little nervous bout tackling third person. Should I try a chapter both ways and see which one my group likes the best? Should I ignore Gwen and keep it in first person? I don't know!! Also, should I go back and forth between Gwen and her daughter who is also a main character in the book to see both of their viewpoints? I don't know!! HELP!! Please leave a comment if you have any advice for me=) Thanks!!P.S. Thanks in advance for not thinking I'm crazy for my characters talking to me. If you went to Lexicon, you should already know this happens a lot!!

Anyone else doing NanoWriMo this year? I've always looked at the website and thought about joining, but I was always too scared to actually participate. With one novel under my belt, I feel a lot better about heading into November this year. I think what really got me interested this year is that I found a group of local writers who will meet the library by my work and write every Monday together. It will be nice to have others who are going through the same thing and working towards the same goal. I hope to wok on my second novel, All Abou Gwen and finishing it. I have set that as my goal, but we all know it takes longer than a month to write a decent novel. So if I reach my word count next month, I will be thrilled. But I also know that if I don't make it, I will be a whole lot further on that second novel. If I can't get an agent with Dust, which I'm still trying for, I could always pitch All About Gwen in May at the DFW Conference. I will keep you updated on my Nano status throughout the month. I would love some encouragement!! A

This weekend I met a wonderful young lady at a Cub Scout campout. I found out that she majored in Journalism from Texas A&M University. At first I felt a little silly because here I am trying to get a novel published, and she has a degree in writing! I quietly muttered," Well, I wrote a novel" and hoped that she wouldn't think I was silly. To my surprise, she didn't laugh at me! She didn't even ask if I've been published! She simply said that she thought it was fantastic and would love to hear more! So, my question this fine evening is....why am I so reluctant to call myself a writer? To tell others about my accomplishment that so many others will never get to say? I just need to buck up (probably a Texas phrase) and be proud of what I've done! Do I have an agent? No. Am I close to having one? I hope. But whether or not I have representation or a book on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, I am a writer. And I think I'm a pretty darn good one! So I shout it from the mountain tops...."I AM A WRITER!!" (That felt pretty good)I ended up making a good friend this weekend that I think will help my writing career in the end, and also a friend that I could really see myself hanging out with. It's crazy that you can meet people in the weirdest places. Mine was at a Cub Scout campout.Anyone else feel the way I do?